History:
Waxhaw United Methodist Church was established in 1888, the year of the incorporation of the town of Waxhaw. We were the first church established within the Waxhaw city limits. The Reverend A. E. Wiley was the first pastor and Mr. James Pierce served as the first Sunday School Superintendent. Reverend Wiley served as pastor from 1888 -1892. When the church was first established the membership was small, and we joined the Presbyterian and Baptist churches to maintain an interdenominational Sunday School.
The Waxhaw United Methodist Church was first included in what was known as the Pleasant Grove Circuit, which included the following churches at the time: Pleasant Grove, Union, New Hope, Wesley Chapel, Bethel, Bethlehem, and Waxhaw. The name of the circuit was changed to that of the "Waxhaw Circuit" in 1896.
The original church was built on the corner of Church Street and Price Avenue. That structure was moved in 1906 to the northwest corner of Church and McDonald Street, the present church location. Ground was broken for the present house of worship in November 1923, and Bishop Edwin Meusem dedicated the building in October 1928. Mr. Jim Gordon was the builder. The first wedding in the new brick church was that of Miss Helen Niven and Mr. Henry Gamble on July 26, 1927.
Mr. Ben Price and Miss. Sara Price gave a sum equal to the total raised by the congregation. The building was valued at $17,000. The Prices also gave the lot behind the church for future church use. At about noon on January 12, 1957, a sudden fire resulted in $10,000 damage to the sanctuary. In repairing the damaged areas, the membership experienced a large degree of spiritual growth and feeling of togetherness.
Under the capable leadership and dedicated service of Rev. James R. Faggart in the early 1970's our church experienced much spiritual growth. Under the leadership of Rev. Clark Poole, the present Educational Building was begun and completed in 1977 at the cost of $243,000. This building continues to be used for many purposes in serving God.